Jul 09, 2009

Permalink 19:41 pm, Neil Springer / General, 324 words  

Lesnar vs. the media... part two

So just a brief follow-up on my last blog, as Brock Lesnar's annoyance with the media spotlight continued at today's UFC 100 press conference.

While saying his bit at the beginning, he informed everyone he'd be leaving once he was done speaking and wouldn't take any questions from the press. As Lesnar attempted to split, UFC president Dana White pulled him aside and spoke directly into his ear. Only they know what was said, but Lesnar immediately sat his ass back down and answered all the media's questions.

It's hard to say what Lesnar's motivations are, but these tactics make him look like a big baby. Frank Mir, Georges St-Pierre, Thiago Alves, Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping are all in the same situation he is. They've been running the media gauntlet that comes with being a part of the biggest UFC show ever and have graciously answered all questions from the media. They're no doubt just as tired as he is, but they remain professional about it.

For a sport that used to only receive negative media attention, it's important to accommodate the press if mixed martial arts is to continue to grow. Everyone but Lesnar seems to understand this. However, he only joined active competition within the last few years, when the sport was already gaining momentum.

Guys like Dan Henderson were fighting in small arenas in Mobile, Alabama during the early UFC shows. Henderson knows that how he carries himself now is just as important as how he carried himself when the sport was considered "human cockfighting."

In my predictions, which will go live on Canoe Saturday, I've picked Lesnar in the main event. The man is an incredible athlete and has no doubt improved since his first fight with Mir. However, as a fan I can safely say I want Mir to win.

The champion of any sport is automatically an ambassador and it's clear Brock is not ready for that responsibility.
Permalink 8 comments Bookmarks and share

Comments:

Comment from: Collin Spires [Visitor]
Pound for pound, I wish my last, and I have fought underground numerous times for a 37 year old living, under 140, would be a guy like Brock. Dude your tough, but give my 51 - 1 (the one for an illegal eye poke, that I swear by my daughter, was coincidence.) and pound for pound Brocker, you help me find a 140 pounder and I will show you your match.

You know, I helped bring this sport through underground fighting. I still fight anyone under 140 underground anyday at the age of 37...you leave me mess up necks of a 21 year old?. Dana you did good, but let make my age category, fight my weight, and I will claim a victory. I did my time lads.

Collin
Please leave a name if you are 140 or under
Permalink 09/07/2009 @ 21:46
Comment from: itrainMMAlol [Visitor]
brock lesnar is a douche and he is going to be the next tim silvia but worse since he will be unstopable
Permalink 10/07/2009 @ 09:57
Comment from: what? [Visitor]
Is it just me or does it seem like Collin has had one too many blows to the head?
Permalink 10/07/2009 @ 14:12
Comment from: jimbob [Visitor]
yeah collin ...lol..go smoke another hit of crack ...140..lmfao!
Permalink 11/07/2009 @ 00:03
Comment from: neil [Visitor]
I think we all need to stop being so critical of others and just enjoy what we are supposed to !!! Some of the media and fans are the babies !!! Yes Brock should answer ?'s by the media but he doesn't have to be the media's little bitch !!!! Of course Dana sat him back down to answer ?'s he's no dummy !!! He wants Brock to speak cause Brock has this way of rubbing people the wrong way without even trying and thats good for business . You may not think so but people are gonna be buying up all his fight tickets till someone beats him . I think a lot of you critics of Brock need to chill out . While he may not be the best ambassador for the UFC he has brought some life to what was a horrible heavyweight division whether you like it or not . His performance against Mir on Saturday was just what i thought would happen !!! Lighten up everyone it's just a couple of guys showing us their fighting skills , there not presidents of countries or anything !!!!
Permalink 13/07/2009 @ 11:50
Comment from: CelticWarrior [Visitor]
Neil nailed it: if the UFC had to make a name for itself in the last 4 years on the back of the heavyweight division alone, there would be no multi million-dollar paydays or gargantuan PPV revenues. Tim Sylvia carried his personality around in a lunch pail, slept/crapped/fu***d with his Championship Belt on, and was stuck for the answer to anything more complex than How are you today? No UFC Ambassador there. Lesnar was spawned by the fantasy world of Vince McMahon, whose WWF/WWE is (or was) the same kind of moneymaking juggernaut that White is quickly building. You gotta hand it to Lesnar: (1) He's savvy enough to recognize when one cash cow has dried up and another is prime for milking (2) He describes his past job experience as being 'in the entertainment industry' and he sold a LOT of tickets for the Cirque de McMahon, and (3) There's no denying Lesnar's a world-class athlete, with a proven ability to (almost) cut it in the NFL with no prior ball experience. Don't like him? Doesn't matter. He's going to carry the UFC Heavy Div on his back for a looooong time, with the 'Lesnar vs Mir' thing making Dana & Co. billions - same as has Liddell vs. Couture. That's what an Ambassador does in any sport.
Permalink 13/07/2009 @ 18:22
Comment from: Collin Spires [Visitor]
What? & jimbob,

Blows to the head? 51-1...blows to the head...not so much. I fought Arturo (God rest his sole) in 97, at the Canadians in NB and loss a 3-2 decision.

Sure Brock tough, but he has no competition, bottom line.

I said that cause pound for pound, Brock is a tough man, but, not the class of the league.

You guys can give your unwarranted feedback, but your talkers, not doers...tell me who you have fought. (and your sister does not count).

Thanks for your thoughts though, you are entitled to give it behind a computer desk.

Please find me a fighter under the 140 pound mark and I will stand up and step up to the microphone any time lads.

By my reputation, JimBob, do you think I smoke crack or is that the pointing a finger and you have pointing three back at you? I can't say "Bring It" cause you don't identify your weight or your background and I do not feel it necessary to give you your internet toughness speech.

Thank you both for your thoughts.

Collin Spires
Permalink 21/07/2009 @ 00:56
Comment from: Collin Spires [Visitor]
Sorry lads, I happen to hit the 9 instead of the 8...it was in fact 87 that I fought Arturo (God rest his sole) in NB Canada at the Canadian Boxing Championshps.

Sorry for the fighter fingers on the typing pad.

Still does not change the message, or the bottom line. I will outclass any 140 pounder in the octagon. (There was no octagon where I fought in the days).

My message was Brock is tough...yes, but zero competition because of Dana White's (like Vince's) principles to show a bad show and not the real tough guys. Go USA...lol. Made for TV.

I do apologize for my mistake.

Collin Spires

Permalink 21/07/2009 @ 01:22

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Jose Rodriguez is the Editor-in-Chief of the Calgary Sun and the mixed-martial-arts writer for Sun Media - Canada's largest newspaper chain. Rodriguez professes to be a fan of the sport since "before it was fashionable" and has written hundreds of columns on mixed martial arts.

He currently runs Canada's most popular mixed martial arts blog. His newspaper columns appear in Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Toronto each Saturday.

You can email Jose at: jose.rodriguez@sunmedia.ca
Neil Springer has been reporting on mixed martial arts since early 2007. However, his obsession with the sport began in 2002 when he first watched the PRIDE Fighting Championships 2000 Grand Prix. He enjoys long walks on the beach and spinning high kicks -- preferably at the same time.

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